Open AccessA German Adaptation of the Prosociality Scale
Author(s) -
Ina Faßbender,
Maike Luhmann
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psychological test adaptation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2698-1866
DOI - 10.1027/2698-1866/a000017
Subject(s) - german , psychology , construct (python library) , empathy , interpersonal reactivity index , construct validity , scale (ratio) , prosocial behavior , social psychology , interpersonal communication , psychometrics , developmental psychology , perspective taking , computer science , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , history , programming language
. Introduction: This paper presents a German translation of the 16-item Prosociality Scale. We analyzed its factor structure based on theoretical assumptions regarding the inclusion of empathy as one element of prosociality or as its underlying construct. Methods and Results: We translated the items into German taking into account both the English and the Italian item wordings. The scale's factor structure was analyzed with three models testing (1) unidimensionality, (2) a four-factor structure with four items on each factor, and (3) a variant of a bifactor model with a general factor including all items and three residual factors with four items each. We analyzed construct validity using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Finally, we identified two 13-item versions with good model fit. Conclusion: The German Prosociality Scale is not unidimensional. Empathy seems to be the underlying construct of prosociality, but it can also be considered an element of prosociality.